What treatment is commonly administered to mothers to help prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome?

Cortisol injections, specifically in the form of corticosteroids, are commonly administered to mothers at risk of preterm labor to help prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). NRDS occurs because of inadequate surfactant production in the lungs of premature infants, leading to impaired lung function and difficulty in breathing.

Corticosteroids play a crucial role in accelerating the maturation of the fetal lungs. When given to the mother, these steroids prompt the fetus to produce surfactant, a substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli and prevents their collapse after exhalation. Increased surfactant levels improve lung function and oxygenation in the newborn, significantly reducing the incidence and severity of NRDS.

The other treatment options listed do not address the specific issue of surfactant deficiency in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Vitamin injections are not utilized for this purpose, antibiotic therapy targets infections rather than lung maturation, and antihistamines are typically used for allergic reactions, rather than influencing fetal lung development.